"It indicts the billionaires who profit off war, the governments that abandon human rights for convenience, the corporate media that launders propaganda as journalism, and the bystanders who mistake neutrality for virtue. It dares us to see through the smokescreen—and act."
I think is the biggest takeaway from the story. Whether it was inspired by current events or not, there is a very clear message being presented in Superman: being a hero means having the hope, compassion, and love for our fellow humans. It is saying that kindness and hope are rebellious in a world filled with establishments that are dedicated to hatred, division, bigotry, and general "meaness."
Thank you for this amazingly insightful review! I may visit my local theatre again so I can pick up more of the details that you so brilliantly shared. I do know that my more simplistic review was one of hope, compassion, etc., and those who bring that to the film and to our reality in which we live.
Yup, you nailed it. I was blissfully unaware of the whole story behind that you have revealed. Yay! For the good guys. Sorry they trashed Green Lantern but I see the point.
Thank you, Qasim, for this review! I know I can go with my family to watch this film and come away a better person! Some films just do that! Looking forward to seeing it!
I was on the fence about seeing this movie, but after reading just the first paragraph of your post yesterday (I stopped before the spoilers) my husband and I immediately bought tickets for last night! It was such a fun movie and I am happy to support a film espousing such ideals as this one does! Thanks for the recommendation to see it!
The author’s anti imperialism analogy falls afoul with incorrectly interpreting Russia as the aggressor, ignoring as he does, decades of NATO expansion along Russian borders as part of an western empire strategy to isolate, destabilize and then rape and pillage Russian natural resources. Ukraine, as proxy to Empire strategy for continued hegemony, was a legitimate threat to Russia. Here, Russia, was forced to defend itself against an imperial aggressor—NATO. Superman would have known this, even if this author doesn’t.
Bravo, Mr. Rashid! Artists draw their inspiration from the things they see. I don't think it's a coincidence this movie so reflects the times. I just finished re-reading Faulkner's The Sound and The Fury and ended up doing a ton of research about whether the racist, woman-hating xenophobic charcter of Jason Compson had taken on new meaning in literature classes across America (if they are still being taught). Faulkner saw the decline of the south in the early 1920s and his stream-of-conscious writing style makes it timeless in the way any good artist's work does. Spoiler Alert: you will be outraged if you read this novel.
Not a blockbuster fan, but had to see this one, and I wasn't disappointed. I agree with your analysis and hope this awakens people who need to understand what's happening in the US. What hurts the most, though, is all the innocent people (including Palestinians, Ukrainians, Sudanese, and all oppressed people) who pay with their lives to see justice prevail. It's been this way throughout history, and yet I refuse to lose hope. (So much more to say!) Thank you for your hard work on behalf of humanity.
After I had read the The NYTimes Opinion page yesterday, I had saved one piece for my first AM read for today. It is entitled, My Problem With Superman, by Junot Diaz--the Dominican-American author and Pulitzer Prize-winning author as well as a professor of creative writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology whose latest book Islandborn is his first children's book.
Then your review came into my inbox and I read it before I read Diaz who has not seen the film. Like your essay, his too, is excellent although a bit esoteric in places even for readers of The Times. Like Laurie Hidy, I too had heard the buzz (NPR-- it's corny which is why it works) that this could very well be the "best" Superman film for apparently all the reasons you identify. Hopefully, Diaz will see the film and his problem with the Superman industry will be put to rest-- thanks to James Gunn-- and he might write a review of the "old" and "new" Superman.
Excellent review! I really think it was all the ways Superman was made more human that made me love this movie so much. He felt more vulnerable physically in some of the battles and his emotions definitely came out. Thanks for sharing this.
"It indicts the billionaires who profit off war, the governments that abandon human rights for convenience, the corporate media that launders propaganda as journalism, and the bystanders who mistake neutrality for virtue. It dares us to see through the smokescreen—and act."
I think is the biggest takeaway from the story. Whether it was inspired by current events or not, there is a very clear message being presented in Superman: being a hero means having the hope, compassion, and love for our fellow humans. It is saying that kindness and hope are rebellious in a world filled with establishments that are dedicated to hatred, division, bigotry, and general "meaness."
Thank you for this amazingly insightful review! I may visit my local theatre again so I can pick up more of the details that you so brilliantly shared. I do know that my more simplistic review was one of hope, compassion, etc., and those who bring that to the film and to our reality in which we live.
Yup, you nailed it. I was blissfully unaware of the whole story behind that you have revealed. Yay! For the good guys. Sorry they trashed Green Lantern but I see the point.
If it looks like , Gaza and sounds like Gaza?
https://substack.com/@cassiannoor/note/c-136828840?r=5v0391&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thank you, Qasim, for this review! I know I can go with my family to watch this film and come away a better person! Some films just do that! Looking forward to seeing it!
You’re such a great writer. The hope in your critique of the movie (I dunno why) makes me want to sob. I will have to see it.
Well, that’s oddly not my picture.
Oh. It disappeared.
I was on the fence about seeing this movie, but after reading just the first paragraph of your post yesterday (I stopped before the spoilers) my husband and I immediately bought tickets for last night! It was such a fun movie and I am happy to support a film espousing such ideals as this one does! Thanks for the recommendation to see it!
The author’s anti imperialism analogy falls afoul with incorrectly interpreting Russia as the aggressor, ignoring as he does, decades of NATO expansion along Russian borders as part of an western empire strategy to isolate, destabilize and then rape and pillage Russian natural resources. Ukraine, as proxy to Empire strategy for continued hegemony, was a legitimate threat to Russia. Here, Russia, was forced to defend itself against an imperial aggressor—NATO. Superman would have known this, even if this author doesn’t.
Bravo, Mr. Rashid! Artists draw their inspiration from the things they see. I don't think it's a coincidence this movie so reflects the times. I just finished re-reading Faulkner's The Sound and The Fury and ended up doing a ton of research about whether the racist, woman-hating xenophobic charcter of Jason Compson had taken on new meaning in literature classes across America (if they are still being taught). Faulkner saw the decline of the south in the early 1920s and his stream-of-conscious writing style makes it timeless in the way any good artist's work does. Spoiler Alert: you will be outraged if you read this novel.
Not a blockbuster fan, but had to see this one, and I wasn't disappointed. I agree with your analysis and hope this awakens people who need to understand what's happening in the US. What hurts the most, though, is all the innocent people (including Palestinians, Ukrainians, Sudanese, and all oppressed people) who pay with their lives to see justice prevail. It's been this way throughout history, and yet I refuse to lose hope. (So much more to say!) Thank you for your hard work on behalf of humanity.
Thanks, Ellen!
The challenges are great but the spirit is greater.
After I had read the The NYTimes Opinion page yesterday, I had saved one piece for my first AM read for today. It is entitled, My Problem With Superman, by Junot Diaz--the Dominican-American author and Pulitzer Prize-winning author as well as a professor of creative writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology whose latest book Islandborn is his first children's book.
Then your review came into my inbox and I read it before I read Diaz who has not seen the film. Like your essay, his too, is excellent although a bit esoteric in places even for readers of The Times. Like Laurie Hidy, I too had heard the buzz (NPR-- it's corny which is why it works) that this could very well be the "best" Superman film for apparently all the reasons you identify. Hopefully, Diaz will see the film and his problem with the Superman industry will be put to rest-- thanks to James Gunn-- and he might write a review of the "old" and "new" Superman.
Can't wait to see it. A tale of two americas. There can only be one hero and one enemy. Let me guess who the enemy is.....hmmm?
Salaam alaikuum, I appreciate your commentaries. May I please recommend this book? I think you want it. It’s necessary knowledge
https://www.amazon.com.au/Ukraine-War-Eurasian-World-Order/dp/1949762955
Fantastic movie review, exactly how I saw it too but you did a perfect job of describing every nuance! Thank you
Excellent review! I really think it was all the ways Superman was made more human that made me love this movie so much. He felt more vulnerable physically in some of the battles and his emotions definitely came out. Thanks for sharing this.